Temple Native Serves with the Navy’s “Seabees” Half a World Away in Guam

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach

ANTA RITA, Guam – A 2011 Central Texas Christian School graduate and Temple, Texas, native builds and fights around the world as a member of a naval construction battalion center located on the island of Guam.

Petty Officer 3rd Class David Crittenden is an electronics technician with the 30th Naval Construction Regiment.

A Navy electronics technician is responsible for the operations and maintenance on radio, radar, and networking communication equipment.

“I enjoy the troubleshooting part of my job and fixing problems,” Crittenden said.

Crittenden credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Temple.

“My parents and teachers back home taught me to just duck down and do your work," said Crittenden. "If you have a job, go for it and put everything into it. This helps me separate my Navy life and personal life and have a good attitude about life.”

The jobs of some of the Seabees today have remained unchanged since World War II, when the Seabees paved the 10,000-mile road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe.

Since 1942 Seabees have served in all American conflicts. They have also supported humanitarian efforts using their construction skills to help communities around the world. They aid following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

According to officials at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the ships, submarines, aircraft and Navy personnel forward-deployed to Guam are part of the world’s largest fleet command and serve in a region critical to U.S. national security. The U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. All told, there are more than 200 ships and submarines, nearly 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in the Pacific.

“I enjoy getting out there and getting work done," said Crittenden. "I enjoy the different experiences of getting outside, building things and tearing things down. You get to know and see more about how systems work in my job.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Crittenden is most proud of attending different schools and learning more about his job.

“Going through the schools and training helps me do my job better and gain that experience that I need in the Navy,” Crittenden said.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Crittenden and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.

“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me," said Crittenden. "It's a feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself, being a part of a bigger team.”